Can AI be used to encourage student exploration?

Yes, but only if it’s treated like a co-pilot, not the captain. AI can help students brainstorm ideas, clarify confusing topics, and offer new perspectives. It’s great at generating possibilities, especially when students feel stuck or uninspired. Want help thinking of science project ideas? Need a list of plot twists for a short story? AI can jumpstart the process. But from there, students need to take the wheel. True exploration happens when they follow their own questions, make decisions, and try things out. So yes, AI can encourage exploration—as long as it doesn’t steal the joy of figuring things out along the way. Curiosity is still human-powered. Let AI play backup, not lead guitar.